Poker is a game that can transcend the casino floor and move onto the real life. The Molly’s Game movie is the best example of this. The film is filled with sharp thinking, quick wits, and intense decision-making. Molly Bloom managed to build her empire but didn’t win a long-term game. So, what are the lessons to learn from her mistakes? What are the steps to avoid? You’ll discover this in the writing.
Molly’s Game: Quick Movie Review
Most gambling-related movies show us a fictional world that rarely evokes much trust in us. It’s not the case with Molly’s Game. The film tells the real story of Molly Bloom, a professional skier who had to retire due to her injury. Ruffled and unconfident, she moves to Los Angeles to organize some of the world’s high-stakes underground poker games.
Now, her clients include Hollywood celebrities, business tycoons, and even Russian mobsters. But the trick is that everything happened in real life, as described in Molly’s book. The movie closely follows the story. What went after Molly’s unprecedented success was the arrest by the FBI and the legal battles that followed. Even though some details may be dramatized for the film, the story’s core is very much real.
5 Poker Lessons to Get From Molly’s Game
Some underestimate all the skills and techniques needed for the poker game. But of all the basics and hand ranking (you should learn before you even place your first bet), here are the five advanced Molly’s lessons to learn. You can apply them one at a time on a newbie-friendly platform. For example, you can register and play poker online at JackPoker. They guarantee 25% rakeback, which is good for your budget, especially when you are experimenting with new strategies.
Know When to Fold
Knowing when to fold is the crucial poker skill Molly failed to acquire. She had to fold her cards when the FBI knocked but failed to do so. The moral is that you don’t need to play every hand you’re dealt, as some of them can be relatively weak. Sometimes, the most brilliant move is to let go. This way, you minimize losses, accumulate resources, and play them out only when your hand’s strong enough.
Stay Cool Under Pressure
In addition to skill and luck, poker also requires psychological resilience. Most players participating in Molly’s game knew the game rules quite well. Still, some of them failed to succeed. The secret is in the mental resilience, which allowed them to stay cool, even with millions on the line.
Poker (and life) isn’t only about the resources you have but how well you can manage them. So, keep calm, and don’t show your emotions — good or bad. Poker has to be unpredictable. Let it be that way.
Read the Room, Not Just the Cards
Molly was a master at reading people. She knew who was bluffing, who was on tilt, and who was about to break. In poker, you deal with cards, sure. But you should also scan your opponents and try to guess their emotions.
For example, when you meet a cautious opponent, you can bluff more fiercely, forcing them to fold. Conversely, you can slow-play your strong hands when you face an aggressive opponent who loves to raise and bet big.
Trust Your Instincts, But Verify
Molly trusted her instincts when choosing who to let into her games. But she didn’t just rely on gut feelings; she did her homework. You should behave the same way! In poker, instincts are important, but don’t ignore the facts. Trust your gut, but back it up with solid evidence.
Don’t Let Ego Run the Show
Ego is your worst friend at a poker table. Some of the worst losses at Molly’s site happened because people tried to chase their pride instead of analyzing every move. Leave pride behind the casino door, and more victories will come to you — that’s how it works.
To Conclude
Molly’s Game is a unique movie because it tells a real story. It isn’t a happy-go-lucky fairytale, though. Molly failed to win her game. However, she succeeded in sharing her experience and teaching us the things to avoid. Now that you know this, why not adopt her powerful lessons? They can help you a lot in your poker game and, well, in your life, too.